Chapter 21

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across Jacob’s front yard as he made preparations for the evening’s sing-along. He’d moved his porch sessions to the larger backyard space near the barn when the Wilson children began bringing friends, but tonight’s performance of “The Dinosaur Parade” called for something special. He arranged chairs in a loose semicircle on the lawn, positioning his stool at the focal point, and strung simple lights between trees to create a warm glow as dusk would eventually settle.

The song sheets he’d prepared for each child sat in a neat stack—lyrics with dinosaur facts in the margins, each child’s specific part highlighted, illustrations of the different dinosaurs sketched in his precise hand. Jacob had never considered himself particularly suited for creating children’s entertainment, yet he’d found unexpected satisfaction in crafting something that would bring joy to these young neighbors who had so unquestioningly accepted his presence in their lives.

He was tuning his guitar when the sound of an approaching vehicle caught his attention. Stan’s pickup truck came into view, followed by a sleek rental car that Jacob recognized as Lydia’s preferred model. By chance, both had decided to drop by—Stan to discuss some business related to “Shattered,” Lydia to share news about her label’s interest in more of Jacob’s songs for her acoustic project.

“Hope we’re not interrupting,” Stan called as he climbed out of his truck. “Saw your message about being busy tonight. Thought I’d catch you before the kids arrived.”

“Looks like you’re setting up for a concert,” Lydia observed, taking in the arranged chairs and lighting.

Jacob nodded. “Dinosaur song. For the neighbors’ kids.”

Stan and Lydia exchanged bemused glances, clearly trying to reconcile the serious songwriter they knew with this image of Jacob preparing a children’s performance.

“A dinosaur song,” Lydia repeated, a smile playing at her lips. “Written by the man behind ‘The Father Song’ and ‘Shattered.’ This I have to hear.”

Before Jacob could respond, another car pulled into his driveway—Jane and Sara Parker arrived with a bottle of wine and what appeared to be a folder of gallery documents.

“Jacob!” Jane called cheerfully. “We had some exhibition materials to drop off and thought we might catch you before your evening plans.”

The unexpected convergence of Jacob’s various Nashville connections created a momentary sense of worlds colliding. These people knew different aspects of him—Stan and Lydia, his music, the Parkers, his art—yet here they were, intersecting in the yard of the home that had become his anchor.

Introductions were made; connections quickly established in the way of Nashville’s creative community. Stan knew of the Parker Galleries and was impressed that Jacob’s paintings had caught their attention. The Parkers recognized Lydia immediately and expressed admiration for her interpretation of “The Father Song.” The easy conversation that formed between these previously separate parts of Jacob’s life felt both strange and oddly right.

“So, you’re about to perform a dinosaur song?” Sara asked, glancing at the arranged chairs.

“For the children next door,” Jacob confirmed. “They’re coming at seven.”

“Mind if we stay?” Lydia asked. “I’m intrigued by this side of your songwriting.”

Jacob hesitated only briefly before nodding. The idea of these professional connections witnessing his children’s song should have made him uncomfortable, yet somehow it didn’t. These people had already seen different dimensions of his creativity; perhaps this was simply another facet to share.

As seven o’clock approached, the Wilson children appeared at the edge of the property—not just Michael, but all five siblings, their parents, David and Carol, trailing behind with a plate of cookies and a pitcher of lemonade. The children’s exuberance was evident even from a distance, their excitement about the promised dinosaur song visible in their animated gestures and quickened pace.

Michael spotted the assembled adults and slowed momentarily, suddenly shy about approaching the unfamiliar group. Jacob, sensing his hesitation, moved toward the children, creating a bridge between these two parts of his life.

“Everyone’s looking forward to hearing the dinosaur song,” he explained simply. “These are friends of mine. They make music too.”

This explanation seemed to satisfy the children, who overcame their momentary shyness and approached the semicircle of chairs. David and Carol Wilson followed, looking somewhat surprised at the gathering that had formed for what they’d assumed would be a casual sing-along.

“Sorry to crash the party,” Carol said as Jacob made introductions. “When Michael told us about a dinosaur song with parts for everyone, the whole family wanted to come.”

“More, the merrier,” Stan replied warmly, helping David set up additional chairs for the adults.

By seven fifteen, an unexpected audience had assembled on Jacob’s lawn—Stan and Lydia, the Parker women, the entire Wilson family, and even Jet, who arrived last after receiving a text from Lydia about the impromptu gathering. The children, initially wide-eyed at the presence of so many adults, quickly relaxed as Jacob began distributing their personalized song sheets.

“Each of you has a special part,” he explained, kneeling to show four-year-old Annie where her name appeared on the page. “And everyone joins in for the chorus.”

Jacob settled onto his stool, guitar positioned comfortably across his lap. “This is ‘The Dinosaur Parade,’” he announced, his voice taking on the gentle cadence he used when addressing the children. “A song about prehistoric creatures and the sounds they might have made.”

He began with a cheerful, bouncy introduction that immediately captured the children’s attention. The melody was simple but engaging, reminiscent of folk songs that had entertained young listeners for generations. As he launched into the first verse about the long-necked Brachiosaurus, the adults exchanged appreciative glances, clearly impressed by Jacob’s ability to blend educational content with genuine musical appeal.